EP0966364A1

EP0966364A1 - Convertible rear seat assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP0966364A1
Application number: EP98912161A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Colin G. Neale
Original assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
Current assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
Priority date: 1997-03-14
Filing date: 1998-03-16
Publication date: 1999-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-16
Also published as: BR9808846A; WO1998041419A1; EP0966364B1; DE69800869D1; PT966364E; US6073986A; CA2283216C; AU6714098A; DE69800869T2; CA2283216A1; ES2159432T3; ATE201637T1

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion assembly having a seat cushion frame structure. The seat cushion assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the motor vehicle in an operative position wherein an occupant can be seated thereon. A seat back assembly having a lightweight seat back frame structure is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the motor vehicle in an operative position to support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. The seat back frame structure is associated with the seat cushion frame structure to form a cushion associated seat frame structure to be connected with and extend between the side walls of the motor vehicle when the seat cushion assembly and seat back assembly are in the operative positions. The cushion associated frame structure is constructed and arranged so that force applied thereto by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration are resisted by the seat cushion assembly and seat back assembly by virtue of the connection thereof with the side wall of the motor vehicle.

Description

CONVERTIBLE REAR SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat for use in a motor vehicle and more particularly to seat assemblies of the type utilized in vans, sports vehicles and the like. Background of Invention

The nature of vans, sports utility vehicles and the other vehicles similar thereto is that it is frequently desirable for the user to convert the space within the back of the vehicle from a seat accommodating space to a cargo accommodating space. This situation arises more often in vans than in most other types of motor vehicles meant primarily as a transportation vehicle due to the suitability of vans for the transport of cargo. In order to convert the seat accommodating space into a cargo accommodating space it becomes necessary to handle the seat. An important factor concerning the ease of handling the seat is its weight. Weight reduction, however, cannot be achieved by sacrificing the strength of the seat to adequately protect the occupant in an emergency situation. There exists a need to provide a seat which will more effectively balance the ease of handling by weight reduction and the need to provide sufficient strength to protect the occupant.

U.S. Patent No. 2,582,687 proposes a manner for mounting a vehicle seat for movement to a storage position within the interior of the vehicle. The '687 patent discloses a motor vehicle having a seat in the rear compartment thereof which is moveable from an operative position wherein it can receive occupants seated thereon and a storage position wherein both the seat back assembly and the seat cushion assembly are unfolded in an extended manner and supported alongside the roof of the vehicle. The seat back assembly and the seat cushion assembly of the '687 patent are slidably mounted on a set of guide tracks which allow the seat to slide upward along the rear wall of the vehicle to an unfolded position alongside the roof. Such a manner of mounting, however, does not provide the desired balance between weight and strength achieved by the broadest aspects of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a vehicle seat for use in a motor vehicle having an interior structure including a bottom floor, transversely spaced side walls, and an upper roof defining an interior space therein within which the vehicle seat can be mounted. The vehicle seat comprises a seat cushion assembly having a seat cushion frame structure. The seat cushion assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle in an operative position wherein an occupant can be seated thereon. A seat back assembly has a lightweight seat back frame structure. The seat back assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle in an operative position to support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly.

The seat back frame structure includes elongated transversely spaced frame members constructed and arranged to be connected with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at upper portions thereof and extend downwardly therefrom when the seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof. The seat back frame structure is associated with the seat cushion frame structure to form a cushion associated seat frame structure disposed below upper portions of said transversely spaced frame members when the seat assemblies are in the operative positions thereof.

The cushion associated seat frame structure is constructed and arranged to be connected with and extend between lower portions of the side walls of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective operative positions thereof. The cushion associated frame structure is also constructed and arranged so that force applied thereto by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration are resisted by the cushion associated frame structure by virtue of the connection thereof with the side walls of the motor vehicle. The seat assemblies are disposed in spaced vertical relation to the floor of the motor vehicle when in the respective operative positions thereof. To ensure that the forces applied to the seat assemblies are transmitted to the side walls of the vehicle without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the cushion associated frame structure, the cushion associated frame structure includes an elongated tensile structure constructed and arranged to be connected with and extend between the side walls of the motor vehicle when the seat assemblies are in the respective operative positions thereof. The cushion associated frame structure is constructed and arranged such that force applied to the cushion associated frame structure caused by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration results in bending of the cushion associated frame structure within the elastic limit of the material thereof. The tensile structure is constructed and arranged such that the aforesaid bending of the cushion associated frame structure applies tension to the tensile structure when connected between the side walls of the motor vehicle to thereby resist further bending of the cushion associated frame structure caused by the occupant during condition of sudden acceleration or deceleration.

It is desirable that the vehicle seat can be manipulated so that the seat can be stored in storage positions within the interior of the vehicle or removed or rolled out of the rear of the vehicle. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a seat wherein the seat cushion assembly is moveably mounted to the seat back assembly such that the seat cushion assembly can be moved when the seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof to a folded position with respect to the seat back assembly wherein the seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside the seat back assembly. The transversely spaced frame members of the seat back frame structure are constructed and arranged to be pivotally attached to the interior structure of the motor vehicle at the upper portions thereof such that the seat cushion assembly can be moved to the folded position thereof alongside the seat back assembly and thereafter the seat back assembly together with the seat cushion assembly can be swung upwards to be retained in respective storage positions wherein the seat cushion assembly and seat back assembly are disposed alongside the roof of the motor vehicle in vertically spaced relation to the floor of the motor vehicle.

Preferably, the cushion associated frame structure is constructed and arranged to establish a connection with the side walls of the motor vehicle as the seat cushion assembly is moved from the folded position thereof to the operative position thereof after the seat back assembly has been swung downwards to the operative position thereof to thereby retain the seat assemblies in the respective operative positions thereof.

Additionally, a yieldable cushion supporting structure may be provided which is configured to be connected between the transversely spaced frame members of the seat back frame structure and the interior structure of the motor vehicle. The yieldable cushion supporting structure is constructed and arranged such that (1) the yieldable cushion supporting structure can yieldingly support the seat assemblies in the respective releasable storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle after the seat assemblies have been released and (2) the yieldable cushion support structure can control downward movement of the seat assemblies as they are being swung downwardly from the respective storage positions thereof.

It is further contemplated that the broadest principles of the present invention may be applicable to vehicle seat assemblies in which the seat cushion assembly is stored within the floor of the motor vehicle and the seat back assembly is stored alongside the roof, rather than storing both seat assemblies alongside the roof. Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the inner rear of a van vehicle with a vehicle seat embodying the principles of the present invention mounted in an operative position therein;

Figure 2 is a profile view of the van vehicle in vertical section showing the seat in its operative position in solid lines, the seat cushion assembly in its seat cushion storage position in phantom lines, and the roof storage position of the entire seat being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 showing the seat in its roof storage position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame assembly of the seat shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing an end portion of the main cross frame member of the frame assembly;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the latch assembly for the seat showing the position of the components of the latching mechanism just prior to being moved into latched relation; and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the same in locked position with the releasing position shown in dotted lines.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear of a passenger van with a second embodiment seat according to the principles of the present invention inside. Figure 9 is a sectional profile view of the van illustrating the seat in an operative position and in a stored position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of the van depicting the seat in the operative position. Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a seat frame assembly of the seat.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of the passenger van with the seat in a ceiling storing position.

Figure 13 is a side plan view of a tubular load carrying bracket. Figure 14 is a top plan view of the load carrying bracket shown in FIG. 15. Figure 15 is a side view of the seat frame assembly shown in FIG. 11 with a lower seat frame assembly shown in FIG. 11 folded up to a seat back frame assembly.

Figure 16 is a side view of the seat frame assembly shown in FIG. 18 in the operative position.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of a pin receiving structure disposed on the side wall of the motor vehicle.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative construction for pivotally connecting the seat cushion assembly to the seat back assembly.

Figures 19 and 20 are fragmentary views of the upper portion of the interior of the vehicle having a vehicle condition actuated locking structure mounted thereof. Detailed Description of the First Embodiment

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a fragmentary view of the interior rear end of a vehicle 10 having an interior structure including a lower floor, an upper roof, and transversely spaced sidewalls defining an interior space within which a vehicle seat, generally indicated at 12, constructed in accordance with the principles of present invention is mounted in an operative position in spaced relation above the floor of the vehicle. The seat 12 is made up of two sub-assemblies; namely, a seat cushion assembly, generally indicated at 14, and a seat back assembly, generally indicated at 16.

The seat cushion assembly 14 and seat back assembly 16 are pivotally interrelated to one another so that the seat cushion assembly 14 is capable of being pivoted about a transverse horizontal axis from a seat cushion operative position into an intermediate or folded position alongside the seat back assembly 16 so that a seating surface of said seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside and facing a back supporting surface of the seat back assembly 16.

The seat back assembly 16 is mounted in the vehicle 10 for swinging movement from (1) a seat back operative position in which the seat back assembly 16 extends downwardly with respect to the roof of the motor vehicle such that the seat cushion assembly 14 can be moved to its seat cushion operative position and (2) a storage position wherein the seat cushion assembly 14 is pivoted into its folded position alongside the seat back assembly 16 and both are swung upwardly into storage positions alongside the roof of the vehicle. The operative position is shown in Figures 1 and 2 in solid lines and the storage positions are shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 and in solid lines in Figure 3. The bottom surface of the seat cushion assembly 14 is preferably disposed adjacent to the roof when the seat back assembly 16 is swung up into the roof storage position.

In view of the roof-storage position of the seat 12, it is desirable that the weight of the seat be reduced as much as possible commensurate with good safety and comfort practices. Moreover, since the seat 12 functions as the rear seat in a van-type vehicle 10, the seat 10 is sized to accommodate three occupants in side-by-side relation. It is to be understood, however, that the principles of the present invention may be applied to a one or two passenger seat. Finally, seat belt assemblies for the three occupants are contemplated to be carried by the seat 12 itself.

The seat 12 includes a lightweight seat back frame assembly, generally indicated at 18, and a lightweight seat cushion frame assembly, generally indicated at 20, which is pivotally mounted to the seat back frame assembly 18. Together, the seat cushion frame assembly 18 and seat back frame assemblies 20,18 define a cushion associated frame structure. The seat back frame assembly 18 includes a pair of transversely spaced side frame members 22 connected to the interior structure of the vehicle at upper portions thereof and extending downwardly therefrom when the seat back assembly 16 is in the operative position thereof. These side frame members 22 are of tubular construction with the upper portions thereof being pressed together so as to enable the upper extremities to be bored as indicated at 24 to receive pivot pins 26. As shown in Figure 2, the pivot pins 26 are mounted on the frame or interior structure of the vehicle 10 near or on the roof. The pins 26 go through the openings 24 and serve to pivotally mount the seat back frame assembly 18 for swinging movement between the operative position and the roof-storage position thereof.

Extending between the mid-portion of the two side frame members 22 is an upper horizontal frame member 28 which carries a series of tubes 30 for adjustably receiving a pair of head restraint assemblies 32. Extending between the lower extremities of the vertical frame members 22 is a lower horizontal frame member 34, the ends of which are connected to the lower ends of the side frame members 22 which, in turn, are fixed to a bracket plate 36 which extends forwardly to receive a hinge or pivot pin 38. The seat cushion frame assembly 20 includes tensile structure in the form of a main horizontal frame member 40 which is of tubular construction formed of a suitable lightweight structural metal and a U-shaped tubular frame member 42 extending from opposite ends thereof so as to define an essentially rectangular frame. Fixed to each end of the main frame member 40 is a bracket plate 44 which is apertured to receive an associated pivot pin 38. In this way, the pivot pins 38 cooperate with the bracket plates 36 and 44 to effect the pivotal mounting of the seat cushion assembly 14 to the seat back assembly 16.

As best shown in Figure 1, the seat 12 includes for the three occupants three separate seat belt assemblies, generally indicated at 46, 48 and 50. The right-hand seat belt assembly 46 includes a lap belt 52 which is suitably fixed at one end to a connecting member 54 which, in turn, is fixed to the right-hand free leg of the U-shaped frame member 42. The opposite end of the lap belt 52 is connected with one end of a shoulder belt 56 which extends from a reel assembly 58 carried by the seat back frame assembly at a position adjacent the juncture of the right-hand side frame member 22 and upper frame member 28. The interconnected lap and shoulder belts 52 and 56 are provided with a latch element which enters a releasable latch receiving assembly 60 fixed to the end of a short belt which is fixed to a connecting member 62 which, in turn, is fixed to a bracket 64. Bracket 64 is fixed, as by welding or the like, to the exterior surface of the main frame 40 at a position spaced from the adjacent end thereof.

Similarly, the central or middle belt assembly includes a lap belt 66 which is fixed at one end to connecting member 68 which, in turn, is connected to a bracket 70 fixed, as by welding or the like, to the exterior surface of the main tubular frame member 40 in spaced relation to the bracket 64. The lap belt has its opposite end connected with a shoulder belt 72 which extends over the central portion of the upper frame member 28 and downwardly to a reel assembly 74 fixedly carried by the main tubular frame member 40. As before, the end of the lap belt 66 at its connection with the shoulder belt 72 is provided with a latch element operable to enter a releasable latch receiving assembly 75 fixed on a short belt suitably fixed to the connecting member 64.

Finally, the left-hand belt assembly 50 includes a lap belt 76 which is fixed at one end to a connecting member 78 which, in turn, is suitably fixed to the left-hand end portion of the U- shaped frame member 42. The lap belt 76 has its opposite end affixed to the adjacent end of a shoulder belt 80 which extends from a reel assembly 82 fixed to the upper end of the seat back frame assembly 18 at the juncture between the upper frame member 28 and the left hand side frame member 22. As before, the interconnected ends of the lap belt and shoulder belts 76 and 80 are provided with a latch element which enters a releasable latch receiving assembly 83 carried by a short belt which is fixed to the connecting member 68. Optionally, the shoulder belt 72 of the middle belt assembly 48 can be eliminated. The seat belt assemblies 46, 48 and 50 are of conventional reel-type construction and that any other conventional type may be utilized so long as the connection with the seat 12 is the same.

In the event of an accident such as a head-on collision, the forward thrust of the seat occupants is resisted by the seat belt assemblies 46, 48 and 50. The stress thus imposed on the seat belt assemblies is, in turn, transmitted to the main frame member 40 by the connecting members 54, 62, 68 and 78. The forces transmitted to the connecting members 62 and 68 will cause the main tubular frame member 40 to bend in a forward direction within an elastic limit of the material thereof. Instead of providing the tensile structure in the form of main frame member 40 with a thicker wall and the added weight thereof to resist this bending action, a tensile element 84 is mounted within the interior of the main frame member 40. As best shown in Figure 5, the tensile element is a preferably flexible member in the form of a belt having a construction like a seat belt. It will be understood that other tensile elements may be utilized such as ropes, chains, cables and the like. The seat belt tensile element 84 is preferred because of its strength to weight ratio. Furthermore, it should be understood that the location of the tensile structure is not limited to the seat cushion frame structure 20.

As shown in Figure 5, the tensile element 84 has its opposite ends connected to tensile element mounting structure in the form of eye bolts 86 extending inwardly through openings in recessed end caps 88 and the bracket plates 44. The outwardly extending end of each eye bolt 86 is threaded to receive a tensile force transmitting pin in the form of a nut 90. The two nuts 90 are turned in operative relation with the eye bolts 86 with a tightness just sufficient to maintain the tensile element 84 taut under normal circumstances without any significant pressure being applied thereto. Under a stress condition, however, where bending forces are applied to the main tubular frame member 40, the bending stresses are resisted by the tensile forces which build up into the tensile element 84 by virtue of the bending action which is taking place. This resistance to the bending action provides the necessary strength to resist the peak load conditions with a construction which is considerably less in terms of overall weight than would be required in a simple structural member.

The cushion associated frame structure is constructed and arranged such that force applied to the cushion associated frame structure caused by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration results in bending of the cushion associated frame structure within the elastic limit of the material thereof. The tensile structure is constructed and arranged such that the aforesaid bending of the cushion associated frame structure applies tension to the tensile structure when connected between the side walls of the vehicle to thereby resist further bending of the cushion associated frame structure caused by the occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration and deceleration. It is to be understood that the tensile element alone could suffice to satisfy the broad functional principles of the tensile structure of the present invention.

The seat back assembly 16 includes in conjunction with the seat back frame assembly 18 a thin foam cushion 92 covered with a suitable cover 94. To enable the foam cushion 92 and cover 94 to be minimized in bulk and weight, a seat back suspension membrane made of a canvas-like material may be fixed between the side frame members 22 and the upper and lower frame members 28 and 34. A pair of spring-like elongated stabilizing elements 941 are mounted between the upper and lower frame members 28 and 34 to aid in the support of the suspension membrane. Similarly, a suspension membrane may be mounted between the main frame member 40 and the U-shaped frame member 42 to receive thereon an abbreviated foam cushion 100 suitably covered by a cover 102. As before, a pair of stabilizing elements may be provided between the members 40 and 42 to aid in supporting the suspension membrane, if desired.

Preferably, the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly 14 has a contour and the back supporting surface of the seat back assembly 16 has a contour complementary to the contour of the seating surface such that the seat assemblies 14,16 have a reduced vertical profile when they are in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle so that the drivers' rearward vision is not unduly limited.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1, 3, 6 and 7, the seat 12 is selectively retained in its operative position by means of a pair of pin receiving structures 104 fixed to the 5 side walls of the vehicle 10. As is evident from Figure 5, the tensile force transmitting pins in the form of nuts 90 have a knob-like configuration and the pin receiving structures 104 are essentially C-shaped so as to receive both the knob end as well as the shank of the nuts 90. The pin receiving structures 104 serve to resist inward movement of the tensile element of the tensile structure when tension is applied thereto whereas the retention function is performed by

10 a pair of latch assemblies, generally indicated at 106, fixed to opposite sides of the U-shaped frame member 42 in depending relation thereto. The latch assemblies 106 serve as both operative position retaining structure to retain the seat assemblies 14, 16 in their respective operative positions and seat back storage retaining structure to retain the seat back assembly 16 in the roof storage position with the seat cushion assembly 14 in its seat cushion storage

15 position also alongside the roof

The latch assemblies 106 are adapted to receive and retain a pair of knob-like supporting pins 108 fixed to the sides of the vehicle 10 in forwardly spaced relation to the nut- receiving structures 104.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, each latch assembly 106 consists of a mounting plate

20 109 suitably fixed to the exterior surface of the associated leg of the U-shaped frame member 42 in depending relation. Affixed to each mounting plate 109 at a lower end portion thereof is a pivot pin 1 10 on which is mounted a latch member 112. Each latch member 112 includes a forwardly opening pin-receiving slot 114 which provides a downwardly facing pin-engaging surface 116 which extends beyond a lower jaw-like portion 118 of the latch member 1 12.

25 Formed in the rearward face of each latch member 112 is a locking surface 120 which is adapted to be engaged by a locking member 122 which is pivotally mounted on the mounting plate 110 by a pivot pin 124 disposed parallel with the pivot pin 110. A suitable biasing structure in the form of a tension coil spring 126 is mounted between an upper end of each locking member 122 and an upper end of each latch member 112. In addition, the upper end of

30 each locking member 122 is connected to one end of a cable 128 forming a component of a Bowden wire assembly, generally indicated at 130. Each Bowden wire assembly 130 includes a flexible tube 132 which slidably receives the Bowden wire cable 128 therein. One end of each flexible tube 132 is suitably fixed to the associated leg of the U-shaped frame member 42, as by a clip 134. Each flexible tube 132 containing the associated cable 128 extends beneath

35 the associated leg of the U-shaped member 42 and has its opposite end fixed to a mounting plate 136 secured to the rear surface of the main frame member 40 in depending relation thereto.

As shown in Figure 4, both Bowden wire assemblies are thus connected in side-by-side relation to the mounting plate 136. As best shown in Figure 3, the cables 128 extending from the flexible tubes 132 are connected to a handle 138. By pulling the handle 138, both cables 128 are moved within the respective flexible tubes 132 to effect a movement of the locking members 122 about their pivot pins 124. The handle 138, the mounting plate 136, and the Bowden wire assemblies 130 comprise an actuating assembly. 5 The seat 12 is moved from the roof storage position into its operative position by swinging the seat 12 downwardly with the seat cushion assembly 14 folded up against the seat back assembly 16. When the seat 12 is swung downwardly, the nuts 90 will engage within the nut-receiving structures 104 and thus stop the rearward pivotal movement about the upper pivot pins 26. Next, the seat cushion assembly 14 is pivoted downwardly about the pivot pins

1038 with respect to the seat back assembly 16 from its seat cushion storage position to its seat cushion operative position. During the latter part of this movement, the latching assemblies 106 carried by the seat cushion assembly 14 will be moved into operative relation with the support pins 108 carried by the sides of the vehicle 10.

Figure 6 illustrates the position of each latch assembly 106 just prior to the engagement

15 of the associated support pin 108. As the seat cushion assembly 14 is moved further downwardly, each latch member 112 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 6, causing the spring 126 to extend. Each latch member 1 12 will continue to be pivoted until the associated pivot pin 108 engages the associated mounting plate 109, at which time the locking members 122 are biased by the springs 126 to engage within locking surfaces 120

20 formed in the forward portion of the latch members 112. The support pins 108 are thus fixedly retained in the latch assemblies 106. In this way, the seat 12 is retained in its operative position.

When it is desired to move the seat 12 from its operative position into its roof-storage position, the handle 138 is again actuated or pulled outwardly which, through the operation of

25 the cables 128, will move the locking members 122 into a position to release the latch members 112. The springs are then operable to bias the latch members 112 downwardly, which has the effect of lifting the seat cushion assembly 14 slightly as the latch assemblies 106 assume the position shown in Figure 6. The seat cushion assembly 14 can then be further raised manually into the seat cushion storage position alongside the seat back assembly 16 and then the entire

30 seat 12 can then be manually swung upwardly about the pivot pins 26 to the roof storage position.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, a nut-receiving structure 140 is provided on each side of the vehicle 10 to receive the nuts 90 when the seat 12 has reached its roof-storage position. In addition, there are support pins 142 provided rearwardly of each nut-receiving

35 structure 140 so that, as the entire seat 12 is moved upwardly, the latch assemblies 106 will move from the inoperative position of Figure 6 into the latched position of Figure 7. This movement is much the same as previously described so that when the latch assemblies 106 are finally locked, the entire seat 12 will be retained in its roof-storage position. When stored in the storage position alongside the roof, the latch assemblies 106 operate such that the seat assemblies are releasably retained in the storage position so that they can be released therefrom in response to manual operation of the above-described actuating assembly, thereby realizing a releasable storage position.

Preferably, the vehicle seat also includes a yieldable cushion support structure in the form of a pair of gas struts 150 pivotally connected between the transversely spaced side frame members 22 and the interior structure of the motor vehicle, preferably on portions of the side walls located rearwardly of the seat assemblies when in the respective operative positions thereof. The gas struts are constructed and arranged such that they can yieldingly support the seat assemblies 14,16 in the releasably storage positions after the seat assemblies have been released. The gas struts 150 also serve to control the downward movement of the seat assemblies as they are swung downwardly from the storage positions alongside the roof of the vehicle. Preferably, the gas struts 150 operate to provide the effect that the seat assemblies have a neutral weight so that swinging movement thereof requires a minimal amount of effort. Conventional gas struts, such as those used to support vehicle gates or hoods, may be used to perform these functions. It should also be understood that hydraulic struts may be used in order to actively raise the seat assemblies to the storage positions alongside the roof.

The advantage of the present invention is that, when the operator of the vehicle 10 desires to use the vehicle as a rear end cargo-type vehicle, the seat 12 can be easily moved from its operative position into a roof-storage position where the cargo space provided is maximal.

It is to be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiment described hereinabove consistent with the principles of the present invention. For example, the seat cushion assembly 14 may be mounted to the seat back assembly 16 in such a manner that the bottom surface, rather than the seating surface, is coextensive with the back supporting surface of the seat back assembly 16. Also, the seat back assembly 16 may be stored on the roof the motor vehicle with the back supporting surface facing either towards the roof, as described above, or towards the floor of the vehicle. Further, the supporting pins 108, 142 may extend inwardly from the side walls of the vehicle, as described above, or may be fixed to structures attached to the floor and roof, respectively, of the vehicle. Detailed Description of the Second Embodiment of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 8 illustrates a seat, generally indicated at 210, inside a passenger vehicle, generally indicated at 212. The seat 210 includes a left seat back assembly 214 and a right seat back assembly 216 which are constructed and arranged to swing open from an operative position, generally indicated at 218, to a deployed position, generally indicated at 220. As shown in Fig. 9, the seat 210 is also constructed and arranged such that a seat cushion assembly 222 pivots to an intermediate position alongside the seat back assemblies 214, 216 and the entire seat 10 swings up to a roof storage position, generally indicated at 224. A seat back operative position is realized when both of the seat back assemblies are in the seat back operative positions thereof. The seat 210 includes, referring more particularly to Fig. 1 1, a lower seat frame assembly 226, a right seat back frame assembly 228, and a left seat back frame assembly 230. The right and left seat back frame assemblies 228, 230 pivot from the operative position 218 to the deployed position 220 with respect to the seat assembly 210. As best shown in Fig. 11, the right and left seat back frame assemblies 228, 230 include a pair of side frame members 232, 234 which are of tubular construction. Upper ends of the side frame members 232, 234 are bent at approximately a right angle so that each end of the tubular side frame members 232, 234 face outwardly. The upper ends of the side frame members 232, 234 are configured to be rotated on pivot pins (not shown) located on the interior walls 236 of the vehicle 212 near the ceiling as shown in Fig. 9. These pivot pins allow the seat 210 to be swung from the operative position 218 to the ceiling storing position 224. It is to be understood that the gas struts 150 of the first embodiment may be used to control the movement of the cushion assembly in this second embodiment.

Each seat back frame assembly 228, 230 further includes a generally U-shaped swinging frame member 240, 242. Cylindrical pivot members 244 are disposed on the end of each leg of the swinging frame members 240, 242. These cylindrical pivot members 244 allow the swinging frame members 240, 242 to pivot about the side frame members 232, 234 in a direction like that indicated by arrow A in Fig. 11, thereby pivoting the seat back assemblies 214, 216 from the operative position 218 to the deployed positions 220. When the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are in the deployed positions thereof, elongated articles of cargo can be disposed in the vehicle by laying them across the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly 222 and between the seat back assemblies 214, 216 in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Additionally, passage of persons and articles between portions of the vehicle located forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle seat 210 is allowed when the seat back assemblies are in the deployed positions 220 thereof.

The upper leg of each U-shaped swinging frame member 240, 242 has tubes 251 for adjustably receiving a pair of head restraint assemblies 245. It is also contemplated that the head restraint assemblies 245 may be fixed directly to the swinging frame members 240, 242. A lower seat back frame member 241 having a tubular construction extends between the lower ends of each side frame member 232, 234. The lower end of each side frame member 232, 234 is fixedly attached to a mounting bracket 244 by bolts, welding, or other similar securing means. Each mounting bracket 244 extends downwards and backwards from the side frame members 232, 234. A tensile structure in the form of a main horizontal frame member 246 extends between the two mounting brackets 244. The mounting brackets 244 are secured to the main horizontal frame member 246 by tensile force transmitting pins in the form of latch pins 247 disposed on the ends of the main horizontal frame member 246. The lower end of each side frame member 232, 234 is also connected to a pivoting bracket 248. The pivoting brackets 248 and the lower end of each side frame member 232, 234 are apertured to receive pivot pins 249. The pivoting brackets 248 are connected to the side frame members 232, 234 with the pivot pins 249 such that each pivoting bracket 248 pivots about the lower end of the side frame members 232, 234.

The seat frame assembly 226 includes a generally U-shaped seat frame member 252 having a tubular construction. The U-shaped seat frame member 252 has a pair of legs 254, 5 256 and an end portion 258, 260 of each leg is flattened. A generally horizontal rear frame member 243 extends between the end portions 258, 260 of each leg 254, 256. The end portion 258, 260 of each leg 254, 256 is also fixedly engaged to a mounting arm 262 of each pivoting bracket 248 by welding. Bolts or other similar securing means may also be used to fixedly engage the end portions 258, 260 and the mounting arms 262. Thus, the lower seat frame

10 assembly 226 is pivotally connected to the seat back frame assemblies 214, 216 by the use of the pivoting brackets 248. Preferably, the seat back assemblies 214, 216 and the seating areas 223 of the seat cushion assembly are angled inwardly to provide more leg room behind the seat or seats in front of the seat 210.

As is best shown in Fig. 10, the seat 210 includes two separate seat belt assemblies,

15 generally indicated at 264 and 266. The belt bracket 280 is secured to the main horizontal frame member 246 by welding or other similar securing means at a position spaced from the right end of the frame member 246 as best shown in Fig. 10. The belt bracket 292 is secured to the main horizontal frame member 246 by welding or other similar securing means at a position spaced from the left end of the frame member 246 as best shown in Fig. 10. Reel assemblies

20274, 286 of the seat belt assemblies 264, 266 may be secured to the walls 236 of the vehicle 212 in order to lighten the weight of the seat 210.

As best shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the pivoting brackets 248 each have a squab latch portion 91 with an engaging arm 92 extending from the bracket 248 and a C-shaped nut- engaging slot 294 immediately below the engaging arm 92. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a tubular

25 load carrying bracket 296. A load carrying bracket 296 is fixed in the interior of the vehicle body on each side of the vehicle 212 as best shown in Fig. 13. Each load carrying bracket 296 has a tubular construction with flattened opposite ends 298, 300. The wheelhouse end 298 of each load carrying bracket 296 is curved upwardly to attach to a wheelhouse (not shown) of the vehicle 212. A D-pillar attachment end 300 of each load carrying bracket 296 extends

30 outwardly at an approximately 45 degree angle and has an inwardly facing right angle for attaching the load carrying bracket 296 to a D-pillar (not shown) in the body of the vehicle 212. A center portion 302 of the load carrying bracket 296 extends upwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle from the wheelhouse end 398 to the D-pillar attachment end. A seat cushion latch striker 304 adjacent the wheelhouse end portion 298 extends inwardly from each center

35 portion 302 through the vehicle walls and extends into the interior of the vehicle 212. A squab latch engaging area 306 is attached to each load carrying bracket at the juncture of the center portion 302 and the D-pillar attachment end 300. Each squab latch engaging area 306 has a downwardly facing squab latch receiving opening 308. The squab latch receiving openings 108 extend through each vehicle wall 236 and into the interior of the vehicle 212 Each squab latch receiving opening 308 is defined by a first vertical wall 310 that is parallel to and spaced evenly from the vehicle walls 236 and a second vertical wall 312 that extends inwardly from the load carrying bracket 296 through each vehicle wall 236 and is formed continuously with the first vertical wall 310 As best shown in Figs 15 and 16, when the seat 210 is swung down from the roof storage position 224 and disposed in the operative position 218, the heads of the latch pins 247 of the main horizontal frame member 246 engage latch pin supports 314 projecting inwardly from each vehicle wall 236 As the seat cushion frame assembly 226 is swung down from the seat cushion storage position shown in Fig 15 to the operative position 218 shown in Fig 16, each pivoting bracket 248 pivots about the side frame members 232, 234 of the seat back frame assemblies 214, 216 and each engaging arm 292 of the squab latch portions 291 of the pivoting brackets 248 engages the squab latch receiving openings 308 extending inwardly from the load carrying brackets 296 Also, the C-shaped engaging slot 294 of each squab latch portion 291 engages the shaft of each latch pin 247 Thus, the squab latch portions 291 of the pivoting brackets 248 retain the latch pins 247 of the main horizontal frame member 246 in an engaged relation with the squab latch engaging areas 306 of each tubular load carrying bracket 296

It is to be understood that the squab latch portions and the tubular load carrying members may also be utilized in the seat described in the first embodiment Likewise, it is contemplated that the nut-receiving structures described in the first embodiment of the present invention may be used in this second embodiment in place of the squab latch an tubular load carrying bracket

In the event of an accident such as a head-on collision, the forward thrust of the seat occupants is resisted by the seat belt assemblies 264, 266 The force imposed on the seat belt assemblies 264, 266 by the forward thrust of the occupants is transmitted to the connecting members 270, 278, 284, 290 The forces transmitted to the connecting members 278 and 290 will cause the main horizontal frame member 246 to bend in a forward direction The main frame member 40 functions as a tensile structure according to the principles of the present invention as described above with respect to the first embodiment As best shown in Fig 9, the seat back assemblies 214, 216 include in conjunction with the seat back frame assemblies 228, 230 a pair of thin foam cushions 322 covered with suitable covers 324 Preferably the covers 324 are designed to entirely cover the seat back assemblies 214, 216 such that the seat back frame assemblies 228, 230 are hidden from view To enable the foam cushions 322 and covers 324 to be minimized in bulk and weight, a pair of spring-like elongated stabilizing elements (not shown) may be mounted vertically between the upper and lower legs of the U-shaped swinging frame members 240, 242 A suspension membrane (not shown) may also be mounted between the left and right legs 254, 256 of the U-shaped frame member 252 to receive thereon foam cushion 334 suitably covered by a cover 336 As before, a pair of stabilizing elements (not shown) may be provided between the legs 254, 256 of the U- shaped frame member 252 to aid in supporting the cushion 334, if desired. Preferably, the contours of the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly complements the contours of the back supporting surfaces of the seat back portions so that the seat assemblies have a reduced vertical profile when in the storage position thereof. 5 Referring now more particularly to Figure 11, the seat cushion assembly 226 of the seat

210 is selectively retained in its operative position by means of a pair of latch assemblies, generally indicated at 338, fixed to each leg 254, 256 of the U-shaped frame member 252. The latch assemblies 338 have a construction similar to the latch assemblies described in the first embodiment. 0 As shown in Figure 11, Bowden wire assemblies are connected in side-by-side relation to the mounting plate 368. These Bowden wire assemblies actuate the latch assemblies in the manner described above with respect to the first embodiment.

The seat 210 is moved into its operative position 218 by swinging the seat 210 down from the ceiling storing position 224 with the seat cushion assembly 222 folded upwardly 5 against the seat back assembly 214, 216. When the seat 210 is swung downwardly, the latch pins 247 will engage the latch pin supports 314 and thus stop the rearward pivotal movement about the pivot pins 238 located on the ceiling. Next, the seat cushion assembly 222 and pivoting bracket 248 are pivoted downwardly about the pivot pins 249 with respect to the seat back assemblies 214, 216. During the latter part of this movement, the latching assemblies 338 0 carried by the seat cushion assembly 222 will be moved into operative relation with the seat cushion latch strikers 304 carried by the walls 336 of the vehicle vehicle 212.

As best shown in Fig 10, seat cushion latch strikers 370 are provided on the ceiling of the vehicle 212 so that, as the entire seat 210 is moved upwardly, the latch assemblies 338 will move from the inoperative position thereof into the latched position thereof. This movement is 5 much the same as previously described so that when the latch assemblies 338 are finally locked, the entire seat 210 will be retained in its ceiling storage position 224.

Operating position retaining structure and deployed position retaining structure in the form of forwardly facing and rearwardly facing deployment latch assemblies 372, 374, respectively, are fixed to the bottom of each seat back assembly 214, 216 adjacent the center of 30 the seat 210. The deployment latch assemblies 372, 374 are attached to the lower legs of the U-shaped swinging frame members 240, 242 by welding, bolts, or other suitable attachment means. The forwardly facing latch assemblies 372 are attached to the U-shaped swinging frame member inwardly from the rearwardly facing latch assemblies 374 and each have an opening facing forward when the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are in the operative position 35 218. The rearwardly facing latch assemblies 374 each have an opening facing the rear of the vehicle 212 when the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are in the operative positions 218 thereof.

The forwardly facing and rearwardly facing latch assemblies 372, 374 have a construction similar to conventional door latches. Examples of such door latches are given in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,523,704, 3,697,105, 5,000,495, and 4,929,007 all of which are hereby incorporated into the present application by references. It is also contemplated that a construction such as that of the hood latch disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,936,611 could be used, which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.

Seat back latch strikers 376 are fixed to the seat 210 and the interior walls 236 of the vehicle 212. The two seat back latch strikers 376 on the seat 210 each have two legs attached to the lower seat back frame member 241, spaced axially with respect to the member 241 and extending radially in a vertical direction therefrom. A striking piece connects the legs of each seat back latch striker 376 on the seat 210. Likewise, the two seat back latch strikers 376 on the vehicle walls 236 are fixed to the wall by welding or similar attachment means and each have two legs spaced horizontally and extending orthogonally and inwardly with respect to the vehicle wall 236 in a horizontal direction. As before, the ends of the legs of each seat back latch striker 376 on the vehicle walls 236 are connected by a striking piece. The strikers 376 are disposed such that when the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are in the operative position 218, the strikers 376 on the seat cushion assembly 210 engage the forwardly facing latch assemblies 372 in a locking relation, thereby securing the seat back assemblies 228, 230 in the operative position 218, and when the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are in the deployed position 220, the strikers 376 on the vehicle walls 236 engage the rearwardly facing latch assemblies 374, thereby securing or anchoring the seat back assemblies 228, 230 in the deployed position 220. An actuating handle 378 is disposed on the inside side of each seat back assembly 214,

216. The actuating handles 378 are pivotally mounted in the brackets 380 which are fixedly attached to the inside members of the U-shaped swinging frame members 240, 242 adjacent the latch assemblies 372, 374. The actuating handles 378 are accessible through apertures 382 in the covers 324 covering the seat back assemblies 214, 216. Each actuating handle 378 is operatively connected to a corresponding forwardly facing latch assembly 372 and a corresponding rearwardly facing latch assembly 374 by Bowden wires (not shown) or other conventional means capable of transmitting movement such that manually operating the actuating handles 378 actuates the forwardly facing latch assemblies 372 and the rearwardly facing latch assemblies 374 and disengages the latch assemblies 372 from the strikers 376. It is also contemplated that the seat assemblies 214, 216 may be spaced immediately adjacent to each other in the operative position 218. Therefore, it is contemplated that the actuating handles 378 would be located at a position accessible from both the operative position 218 and the deployed position 220, such as on the top or bottom of each seat back assembly 214, 216. Also, two handles on each seat back assembly 214, 216 may be used to promote such accessibility.

Thus, to move the seat back assemblies 214, 216 from the operative position 218 to the deployed position 220, the actuating handles 378 are manually operated, thereby disengaging the forwardly facing latch assemblies 372 from the strikers 376 on the seat 210, and the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are pivoted backward about the side frame members 232, 234. As th e seat back assemblies 214, 216 reach the deployed position 220, the rearwardly facing latch assemblies 374 engage the strikers 376 on the vehicle walls 236 in a locking relation, thereby securing the seat back assemblies 214, 216 in the deployed position 220. Likewise, to move the seat back assemblies 214, 216 from the deployed position 220 to the operative position 5218, the actuating handles 378 are manually operated, thereby disengaging the rearwardly facing latch assemblies 374 from the strikers 376 on the vehicle walls 36, and the seat back assemblies 214, 216 are pivoted forward about the side frame members 232, 234. As the seat back assemblies 214, 216 reach the operative position 218, the forwardly facing latch assemblies 372 engage the strikers 376 on the seat 210 in a locking relation, thereby securing lOthe seat back assemblies 214, 216 in the operative position 218.

Fig. 17 illustrates an alternative pin receiving structure, generally indicated at 400, which can be mounted to the side walls of the motor vehicle so as to receive the tensile force transmitting pins of any vehicle seat embodying the broad principles of the present invention when the seat is mounted within the interior space of the vehicle. Preferably, this alternative 15 pin receiving structure 400 is to be used in conjunction with vehicle seat assemblies in which at least the seat back assembly thereof can be swung upwardly to a storage position alongside the roof of the vehicle.

The alternative pin receiving structure 400 is constructed and arranged to be mounted on the side walls of the vehicle by welding or other suitable means at any suitable location 20 capable of carrying the loads applied thereto. An arcuate pin receiving slot 402 is formed therein to receive the tensile load transmitting pins of the seat cushion assembly when the seat assemblies thereof are in the operative positions thereof. It is to be understood that the curvature of the pin receiving slot 402 need not be the same as the travel of the tensile load transmitting pins. By varying the curvature of the slot 402, the seat back assembly can be 25 urged downwardly so as to create tension in the seat back frame structure and the transversely spaced side members to thereby obtain a more rigid mounting.

The pin receiving structure optionally may have a pin hole 404 which is designed to receive a spring biased pin, shown in Figs. 19 and 20 and indicated at 430, mounted on the cushion associated frame structure to provide further resistance against fore and aft movement 30 of seat assemblies. In order to move the seat assemblies from the operative positions thereof, the spring biased pins are moved out of engagement with the pin holes 404. It is contemplated that these spring biased pins may be operated either by the actuating assembly having Bowden wire assemblies described above with respect to either of the two embodiments or by use of a solenoid which actuates the pins responsive to certain operating conditions of the vehicle. 35 Fig. 18 illustrates an alternative construction for pivotally connecting the seat cushion frame structure 406 to the seat back frame structure 408. The seat cushion frame structure 406 has a tensile structure in the form of a main frame member 400 extending transversely across a rear portion thereof. The tensile structure performs the same function as those described above and has a similar construction. However, the tensile load transmitting pins in the form of nuts 412 are mounted off center with respect to the main frame member 410 so that the nuts are below the central, longitudinal axis of the frame member 410 when the seat assemblies are in the operative positions thereof. The tensile element is still mounted within the frame member 410 along the central longitudinal axis thereof on tensile element mounting structures like those tensile elements described above. To ensure transmission of the tensile forces built-up in the tensile element, the tensile element is operatively communicated with the tensile force transmitting pins by virtue of the bracket 413 which pivotally connects the seat cushion frame structure 406 to the seat back frame structure 408, thereby connecting the tensile force transmitting pins in force transmitting relation with the tensile element mounting structures.

A pin slot 416 is formed in the lower portion of the bracket 414 associated with the seat back frame structure 408. This pin slot 416 limits the movement of the seat cushion assembly beyond the operative position thereof by engaging the nuts 412.

It is to be understood that the latch assemblies mounted on the seat cushion frame structures in the previously discussed embodiments may be replaced by strikers 418 as shown in Fig. 18. These strikers 418 may be engaged by latches (not shown) mounted on the side walls of the motor vehicle or may simply rest on engaging portions (not shown) on the side walls of the vehicle. Removing the latch assemblies from the frame structure is advantageous in that it reduces the weight of the seat. Additionally, a vehicle operating condition locking structure, illustrated in Fig. 19 and

20 and generally indicated at 420, may be used to retain the seat assemblies in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof. The locking structure 420 is in the form of a solenoid 422 operatively communicated to the ignition of the vehicle and a Y-shaped engaging element 424. The locking structures 420 are disposed rearwardly and below the nut-receiving structure 140, illustrated in the first embodiment described above, and on the side wall surface 426 facing away from the interior of the vehicle so that they are adjacent a pin receiving hole 428 adapted to receive the aforementioned spring-biased pins 430. The pin receiving holes 428 are configured to support the seat assemblies in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof when the spring-biased pins are inserted therein. The solenoid 422 senses a vehicle operating condition by being communicated to the ignition of the vehicle so that when it senses that the engine is running, the Y-shaped engaging element will be moved outwardly therefrom to engage the retractable pins 430, thereby preventing the retractable pins mounted on the cushion associated frame structure from being withdrawn from the pin receiving holes 428, thereby preventing the seat assemblies from swinging downwardly during vehicle operation. Also, an annular groove 432 is preferably formed on each of the pins 430 to facilitate engagement of the Y-shaped engaging element 424 therewith. It is also contemplated that the solenoid may be communicated with the transmission rather than the ignition so that the Y-engaging element 424 is moved outwardly from the solenoid when the transmission is shifted from a neutral gear to a forward or reverse gear. It is to be understood that the construction and operation of the locking structure 420 may be use in conjunction with any vehicle seat in which at least a cushion assembly thereof is movable to a storage position alongside the roof of the vehicle.

It will be thus seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing preferred specific embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore the present invention includes all modifications encompassed within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat for use in a motor vehicle having an interior structure including a bottom floor, transversely spaced side walls, and an upper roof defining an interior space therein within which the vehicle seat can be mounted, said vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion assembly having a seat cushion frame structure, said seat cushion assembly being constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle in an operative position wherein an occupant can be seated thereon; a seat back assembly having a lightweight seat back frame structure, said seat back assembly being constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle in an operative position to support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly, said seat back frame structure including elongated transversely spaced frame members constructed and arranged to be connected with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at upper portions thereof and extend downwardly therefrom when said seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof, said seat back frame structure being associated with said seat cushion frame structure to form a cushion associated seat frame structure disposed below upper portions of said transversely spaced frame members when said seat assemblies are in the operative positions thereof, said cushion associated seat frame structure being constructed and arranged to be connected with and extend between lower portions of the side walls of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective operative positions thereof, said cushion associated frame structure being constructed and arranged so that force applied thereto by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration are resisted by said cushion associated frame structure by virtue of the connections thereof with the side wall of the motor vehicle.

2. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 wherein said seat assemblies are disposed in spaced vertical relation to the floor of the motor vehicle when in the respective operative positions thereof, said cushion associated frame structure including an elongated tensile structure constructed and arranged to be connected with and extend between the side walls of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective operative positions thereof, said cushion associated frame structure being constructed and arranged such that force applied to said cushion associated frame structure caused by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration results in bending of said cushion associated frame structure within the elastic limit of the material thereof, said tensile structure being constructed and arranged such that the aforesaid bending of said cushion associated frame structure applies tension to said tensile structure when connected between the side walls of the motor vehicle to thereby resist further bending of said cushion associated frame structure caused by the occupant during condition of sudden acceleration or deceleration.

3. A vehicle seat according to claim 2 wherein each of said seat seat assemblies is moveable from the respective operative positions thereof into respective storage positions such that more cargo can be stored on the floor of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective storage positions thereof than can be stored on the floor of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective operative positions thereof.

4. A vehicle seat according to claim 3 wherein the storage positions of said seat assemblies are within the interior space of the motor vehicle.

5. A vehicle seat according to claim 4 wherein said transversely spaced frame members of said seat back frame structure are constructed and arranged to be pivotally attached to the interior structure of the motor vehicle at the upper portions thereof such that said seat back assembly can be swung between the operative position thereof and the storage position thereof, said seat back assembly being disposed alongside the roof of the motor vehicle in vertically spaced relation to the vehicle floor when in the storage position thereof.

6. A vehicle seat according to claim 5 wherein said seat cushion frame structure is lightweight and said seat back frame structure is associated with said seat cushion frame structure to form a lightweight cushion associated frame structure; said seat cushion assembly being moveably mounted to said seat back assembly such that said seat cushion assembly can be moved when said seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof from the operative position thereof to a folded position with respect to said seat back assembly wherein said seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside said seat back assembly so that thereafter said seat back assembly and said seat cushion assembly can be swung upwardly together with said seat cushion assembly in the folded position thereof to the storage positions thereof wherein said seat back assembly and said seat cushion assembly are both disposed alongside the roof of the motor vehicle.

7. A vehicle seat according to claim 6 wherein said seat cushion assembly establishes a connection with the side walls of the motor vehicle as said seat cushion assembly is moved from the folded position thereof to the operative position thereof after said seat back assembly has been swung downwards to the operative position thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective operative positions thereof.

8. A vehicle seat according to claim 7 wherein said seat back assembly comprises: a pair of seat back sections constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) seat back section operative positions wherein the back of an occupant seated on said seat cushion assembly in the operative position thereof is supported by an associated one of said seat back sections and (2) seat back section deployed positions wherein each of said seat back sections is disposed alongside an associated one of the side walls of the motor vehicle such that (1) elongated articles of cargo can be stored in the interior space of the motor vehicle by laying the articles across the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly and between the seat back sections in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle when said seat back sections are in the respective deployed positions thereof and said seat cushion assembly is in the operative position thereof and (2) passage between portions of the vehicle located forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle seat is allowed when said vehicle seat is mounted within the interior space of the vehicle with said seat back sections in the respective deployed positions thereof and said seat cushion assembly in the operative position thereof

9 A vehicle seat according to claim 7 wherein said cushion associated frame structure comprises operative position retaining structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at lower parts thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective operative positions thereof, and seat back storage position retaining structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at upper parts thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the vehicle.

10 A vehicle seat according to claim 7 wherein said cushion associated frame structure comprises. operative position retaining structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at lower parts thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective operative positions thereof, seat back storage position retaining structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at upper parts thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the vehicle; deployed position retaining structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the interior structure of the motor vehicle to retain said seat back sections in the respective deployed positions thereof; and operating position retaining structure constructed and arranged to retain said seat back sections in the respective operative positions thereof to thereby realize the operative position of said seat back assembly when both of said seat back sections are in the respective operative positions thereof.

11 A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 wherein a seating surface of said seat cushion assembly on which an occupant can be seated has a contour and a back supporting surface of said seat back assembly on which an occupant seated on the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly can rest his back has a contour complementary to the contour of the seating surface such that the aforesaid surfaces of said seat assemblies nest with one another when said seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside said seat back assembly so that said seat assemblies have a reduced vertical profile when disposed in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle.

12. A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 further comprising. yieldable cushion supporting structure configured to be connected between said transversely spaced frame members of said seat back frame structure and the interior structure of the motor vehicle, said yieldable cushion supporting structure being constructed and arranged such that (1) said yieldable cushion supporting structure can yieldingly support said seat assemblies in the respective storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle after said storage position retaining structure of said cushion associated frame structure been disengaged from the interior structure of the motor vehicle and (2) said yieldable cushion supporting structure can control downward movement of said seat assemblies as they are being swung downwardly from the respective storage positions thereof. 5

13. A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said tensile structure comprises a tubular frame member extending transversely across said cushion associated frame structure, said tubular frame member having a tensile element mounted therein, said frame member being constructed and arranged such that force applied to said frame member caused by an occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration

10 results in a bending of said frame member within the elastic limit of the material thereof, said tensile element being constructed and arranged such that the aforesaid bending of said frame member applies tension to said tensile element when said tensile structure is connected between the side walls of the motor vehicle to thereby resist further bending of the frame member caused by the occupant during conditions of sudden acceleration or deceleration.

15 14. A vehicle seat according to claim 13 wherein said tensile element is a flexible member tautly mounted within said frame member between a pair of tensile element mounting structures extending inwardly into said frame member.

15. A vehicle seat according to claim 14 wherein said tensile structure further comprises: tensile load transmitting pins extending outwardly from opposing sides of said cushion

20 associated frame structure, said tensile load transmitting pins being constructed and arranged to be received in pin receiving structures disposed on the side walls of the motor vehicle at lower portions thereof when said seat assemblies are in the operative position thereof, said tensile element being operatively communicated with said load transmitting pins through said tensile element mounting structures extending inwardly into said frame member such that the

25 aforesaid bending of said frame member applies tension to said tensile element when said tensile load transmitting pins are received in the pin receiving structures disposed on the side walls of the motor vehicle to thereby resist further bending of the frame member.

16. A vehicle seat according to claim 15 wherein said tensile element is a belt.

17. A vehicle seat according to claim 15 wherein said tensile element mounting structures 30 are eye bolts extending inwardly into said frame member.

18. A vehicle seat according to claim 15 wherein said tensile element is operatively communicated with said tensile force transmitting pins through said tensile element mounting structures by virtue of a bracket which pivotally connects said seat cushion assembly to said seat back assembly and interconnects said tensile force transmitting pins in force transmitting

35 relation with said tensile element mounting structures.

19. A vehicle seat according to claim 15 further comprising: yieldable cushion supporting structure configured to be connected between said transversely spaced side frame members of said seat back frame structure and the interior structure of the motor vehicle, said yieldable cushion supporting structure being constructed and arranged such that (1) said yieldable cushion supporting structure can yieldingly support said seat assemblies in the respective storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle after said storage position retaining structure of said cushion associated frame structure has been disengaged from the interior structure of the motor vehicle and (2) said yieldable cushion supporting structure can control downward movement of said seat assemblies as they are being swung downwardly from the respective storage positions thereof.

20. A vehicle seat according to claim 19 wherein the seating surface of said seat cushion assembly on which an occupant can be seated has a contour and the back supporting surface of said seat back assembly on which an occupant seated on the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly can rest his back has a contour complementary to the contour of the seating surface when said seat back sections are in the respective operative positions thereof such that the aforesaid surfaces of said seat assemblies nest with one another when said seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside said seat back assembly so that said seat assemblies have a reduced vertical profile when disposed in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle.

21. A vehicle seat according to claim 15 wherein said seat cushion assembly has a lightweight construction comprising a membrane stretched over said light seat cushion frame structure, a thin foam cushion disposed on said membrane, and a cover covering said seat cushion assembly, said seat back assembly having a lightweight construction comprising a membrane stretched over said lightweight seat back frame structure, a thin foam cushion disposed on said membrane, and a cover covering said seat back assembly.

22. A vehicle seat according to claim 15 wherein said cushion associated frame structure is constructed and arranged to have a seat belt assembly mounted thereto when said seat assemblies are in the operative position thereof, portions of said seat belt assembly being connected to said tubular frame member of said tensile structure.

23. A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 wherein the seating surface of said seat cushion assembly on which an occupant can be seated has a contour and the back supporting surface of said seat back assembly on which the occupant seated on the seating surface of the seat cushion assembly can rest his back has a contour complementary to the contour of the seating surface such that the aforesaid surfaces of said seat assemblies nest with one another when said seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside said seat back assembly so that said seat assemblies have a reduced vertical profile when disposed in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle.

24. A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said seat cushion assembly has a lightweight construction comprising a membrane stretched over said light seat cushion frame structure, a thin foam cushion disposed on said membrane, and a cover covering said seat cushion assembly, said seat back assembly having a lightweight construction comprising a membrane stretched over said lightweight seat back frame structure, a thin foam cushion disposed on said membrane, and a cover covering said seat back assembly.

25. A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said yieldable cushion supporting structure is a pair of gas struts constructed and arranged to be pivotally connected between said elongated transversely spaced frame members extending downwardly from the roof of the motor vehicle when said seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof and rearward portions of the side walls of the motor vehicle when said vehicle seat is mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle, said gas struts being constructed and arranged such that (1) said gas struts can yieldingly support said seat assemblies in the storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle after said storage position retaining structure has been disengaged from the interior structure of the motor vehicle and (2) said gas struts control downward movement of said seat assemblies as they are being swung downwardly from the respective storage positions thereof.

26. A vehicle seat according to claims 9 or 10 wherein a pair of latch assemblies mounted on said seat cushion frame assembly face downwardly towards the floor of the motor vehicle when said seat cushion assembly is in the operative position thereof, said pair of latch assemblies constituting both said seat back storage position retaining structure and said operative position retaining structure of said seat, said latch assemblies being constructed and arranged to (1) engage the interior structure of the motor vehicle at the lower portions thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective operative positions thereof and (2) engage the interior structure of the motor vehicle at the upper portions thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle, said latching assemblies being operable so as to disengage from the upper and lower portions of the interior structure of the motor vehicle, thereby allowing said seat assemblies to be moved between the respective operative and storage positions thereof.

27. A vehicle seat according to claim 26 wherein said cushion associated frame structure further comprises: an actuating assembly disposed on said cushion associated frame structure at a manually accessible position wherein said actuating assembly can be manually operated when said seat assemblies are in either of the respective operative or storage positions thereof, said actuating assembly being constructed and arranged such that manual operation thereof disengages said latching assemblies from the interior structure of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in either of the respective operative or storage positions thereof to thereby allow said seat assemblies to be moved between the respective storage and operative positions thereof.

28. A vehicle seat according to claim 10 wherein said deployed position retaining structure comprises a pair of deployment latching assemblies each disposed on a seat back frame section of said seat back frame structure associated with one of said seat back sections, said deployment latching assemblies facing away from said seat cushion assembly when said seat back sections are in the respective operative positions thereof, said deployment latching assemblies being constructed and arranged to engage the interior structure of the motor vehicle at lower regions thereof to retain said seat back sections in the respective deployed positions thereof; said operating position retaining structure comprising striker structure mounted on said cushion associated frame structure and a pair of operating latch assemblies each disposed on a seat back frame section of said seat back frame structure associated with one of said seat back sections, said operating latch assemblies facing towards said seat cushion assembly when said seat back sections are in the respective operative positions thereof, said operating latch assemblies being constructed and arranged to engage said striker structure on said cushion associated frame structure and retain said seat back sections in the respective operative positions thereof to thereby realize said operative position of said seat back assembly when both of said seat back sections are in the respective operative positions thereof.

29. A vehicle seat for use in a motor vehicle having an interior structure including a bottom floor, transversely spaced side walls, and an upper roof defining an interior space therein within which the vehicle seat can be mounted, said vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion assembly having a lightweight seat cushion frame structure, said seat cushion assembly being constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle in an operative position wherein an occupant can be seated thereon; a seat back assembly having a lightweight seat back frame structure, said seat back assembly being constructed and arranged to be mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle in an operative position to support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly, said seat back frame structure including elongated transversely spaced frame members constructed and arranged to be connected with the interior structure of the motor vehicle at upper portions thereof and extend downwardly therefrom when said seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof, said seat back frame structure being associated with said seat cushion frame structure to form a lightweight cushion associated seat frame structure disposed below upper portions of said transversely spaced frame members when said seat assemblies are in the operative positions thereof, said seat cushion assembly being moveably mounted to said seat back assembly such that said seat cushion assembly can be moved when said seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof to a folded position with respect to said seat back assembly wherein said seat cushion assembly is disposed alongside said seat back assembly, said transversely spaced frame members of said seat back frame structure being constructed and arranged to be pivotally attached to the interior structure of the motor vehicle at the upper portions thereof such that said seat cushion assembly can be moved to the folded position thereof alongside said seat back assembly and thereafter said seat back assembly together with said seat cushion assembly can be swung upwards to be releasably retained in respective storage positions wherein said seat cushion assembly and seat back assembly are disposed alongside the roof of the motor vehicle in vertically spaced relation to the floor of the motor vehicle and are capable of being released in response to manual operation for swinging downward movement therefrom, the respective storage positions of said seat assemblies being arranged such that more cargo can be stored on the floor of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective storage positions thereof than can be stored on the floor of the motor vehicle when said seat assemblies are in the respective operative positions thereof, said cushion associated frame structure being constructed and arranged to establish a connection with the interior structure of the motor vehicle as said seat cushion assembly is moved from the folded position thereof to the operative position thereof after said seat back assembly has been swung downwards to the operative position thereof to retain said seat assemblies in the respective operative positions thereof; and yieldable cushion supporting structure configured to be connected between said transversely spaced side frame members of said seat back frame structure and the interior structure of the motor vehicle, said yieldable cushion supporting structure being constructed and arranged such that (1) said yieldable cushion supporting structure can yieldingly support said seat assemblies in the respective storage positions thereof alongside the roof of the motor vehicle after said seat assemblies have been released in response to manual operation and (2) said yieldable cushion supporting structure can control downward movement of said seat assemblies as they are being swung downwardly from the respective storage positions thereof.

30. A vehicle seat according to claim 29 wherein said yieldable cushion supporting structure is a pair of gas struts constructed and arranged to be pivotally connected between said elongated transversely spaced frame members extending downwardly from the roof of the motor vehicle when said seat back assembly is in the operative position thereof and rearward portions of the side walls of the motor vehicle when said vehicle seat is mounted within the interior space of the motor vehicle.